Lynnwood to vote on continuing fire authority talks

Herald staff

LYNNWOOD -- City councilmembers here are expected to vote Jan. 28 on whether to continue participating in talks about forming a regional fire authority in south Snohomish County.The council has been encouraged to exit the talks, Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough said Thursday.The recommendation was made Wednesday evening by Gough and two council members who have represented the city in the fire authority talks.Gough said the talks have failed to come up with a comprehensive plan that he could sell to other city leaders."It's in pieces," he said.Leaders from almost all the cities and fire districts between Everett and the Snohomish-King county line have been meeting to talk about the idea of a regional fire authority since early 2011. Bothell declined to join the talks early on. Mill Creek left in December. Additional cities are expected to vote on whether they continue in the next few weeks.Lynnwood has since spring 2012 also has been considering contracting for fire service with Fire District 1.Those talks haven't progressed much. Lynnwood officials have been busy with budget issues, Gough said.

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